The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in Math. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Compass Academy Charter School
Compass Academy Charter School is a small district that serves a single school in Cumberland County, New Jersey, enrolling children from prekindergarten through fifth grade. Because it covers only the elementary years, there is no high school graduation rate to report and no secondary-level course offerings such as Advanced Placement or career pathways. The school’s academic results come from the state’s NJSLA assessments, which test students in grades three through five.
Across the tested grades and subjects, the school’s overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Cumberland County. That is a reasonably strong position for a small charter elementary, but the district-level average masks variation by grade and subject. In third-grade math, roughly half of students scored at or above the state’s proficiency benchmark. By fifth grade, that share dropped to about one in five. In English language arts, the pattern was more stable: about one in four third-graders met the bar, and that figure rose to roughly one in three by fifth grade. Science is tested only in fifth grade, and the proficiency rate was lower than in either math or ELA for that grade. A parent may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who arrive below grade level, especially in mathematics as the grades advance.
The school enrolls a small student body. Its racial and ethnic composition is predominantly Hispanic, followed by Black students and a smaller White population; there are also small numbers of Asian, multiracial, and Native American or Pacific Islander students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available in the public record, so a parent should ask the school directly about these populations and the supports in place.
Chronic absenteeism is a notable concern. The school’s rate falls in the bottom quarter among Cumberland County districts, meaning a substantial portion of students miss enough school to be considered chronically absent. That pattern can affect classroom continuity and individual academic growth, and it is worth understanding what steps the school takes to address attendance.
On the financial side, per-pupil current spending is in the lower range relative to other districts in the county. That is not unusual for a charter school that operates on a per-pupil funding allocation, but a parent may want to ask how the school allocates its resources to instruction, staffing, and student supports.
The school’s grade span means children typically move on to a different district or charter for middle school. The district brief turned up no recent major changes or initiatives, so the operating context appears stable at this time. No data was available on discipline rates, staffing ratios, or course access beyond the core academic program.
For a family considering this school, the key considerations are these: academic proficiency is mixed but sits above the county average overall, attendance is a soft spot that warrants a conversation, and the school provides an elementary-only environment in a small, predominantly Hispanic charter setting. Families who want a traditional elementary program with a relatively small student body and are comfortable following up on attendance patterns may find it a good fit. Those seeking detailed demographic or special-program data will need to get it directly from the school.
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